My healthy lifestyle quest will continue in December with focus on the following items to keep me on track:

1. Eating healthy 2. Getting in my 10,000 steps a day 3. Remaining calm when under stress 4. Portion Control - no more estimating 5. Losing weight so I can fit comfortably in an MRI for my annual Breast Cancer Screening.

This month's focus will be of course related to the Christmas holiday . . . so I have ...

My healthy lifestyle quest will continue in December with focus on the following items to keep me on track:

1. Eating healthy 2. Getting in my 10,000 steps a day 3. Remaining calm when under stress 4. Portion Control - no more estimating 5. Losing weight so I can fit comfortably in an MRI for my annual Breast Cancer Screening.

This month's focus will be of course related to the Christmas holiday . . . so I have selected the following quote . . .

"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there." ~ Unknown Author

What about our emotional ties to the upcoming holiday season. It is time to attack the stereotypical customs regarding Thanksgiving. It does not have to be about the food. We need to focus on a healthy relationship with food everyday . . . particularly Thanksgiving. If we fall into the trap of believing that the day is about gluttony, then we will gain weight. . . Or worse, we will feel that we missed something if we don't have that slice of pie. The truth is we must change our belief regarding the traditional desserts and food served at all the social gatherings over the holidays. Try to eat a very small slice of your favorite food . . . and be fully satisfied. We do not need to have a sample of everything. We must focus on changing our relationship by planning ahead. By preparing in advance to challenge our traditional feast to be one that is healthy and focused on our family.

This entire month I will remind myself to eat only when I am hungry and after I have first finished a full 8 ounces of water. I will only take a single portion of food . . . eat it and then wait 30 minutes to evaluate the real benefit of having any more. I will not fulfill the stereotypical belief that people who are overweight just cannot push away from the table. We are not "stupid birds" . . . we know that it is unhealthy to overeat on a daily basis and even on a holiday. We owe it to ourselves to be smart and push away from the table.

So I am going to print out the photo and quote above. I will post it on my refrigerator to remind me to push away from the temptations of the holiday season and focus on a healthy me!

We can . . . Yes we can . . . We can be victorious.

We will never give up!

Note to my Friends: I try to keep my friends in alphabetical order except my sisters and those without profile pics. So if you do not see your profile, check the entire list. I won't forget you!

My Goals:
1- Overcome my workaholic behaviors and put my health first! 2- Lose sufficient weight to be healthy and avoid organ damage caused by diabetes. 3- Lower my Blood Pressure. 4- Improve my fitness so I can enjoy an active life. 5-Ability to walk up the mtn from lower campus to my office without out of breath!

My Program:
1-Log my food daily. 2-Drink 9 or 10 glasses of water daily. 3-Eat 5 Fruits/Veg'ts a Day. 4- Work out everyday at least 30 minutes . . . building to 45 minutes. 5-Complete strength exercises at least 3 times a week. 6- Eat 3 meals and 2 snacks each day . . . healthy snacks. 7. Take my food to work everyday to ensure I have healthy choices. 8.Say NO to any new requests for classes or work related tasks. 9. Eliminate stressors in my life . . . manage those I cannot eliminate. 10. Manage my emotions . . . focus on the positive.

Personal Information:
I teach in higher education. I have a difficult time telling students No . . . but I do need to take better care of myself. Without my health I will not only shorten my lifespan, but I cannot fully enjoy the life I have now. Live each day to its fullest!

Other Information:
Lee Iacocca: "You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance."

Unknown Author: "You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there."